At A Glance
- Players from Egypt, and Gilas Pilipinas star Jordan Clarkson, also tried the sweet delights.
By IANE MACASIEB
As the much-awaited FIBA Basketball World Cup unfurls on Friday, Aug. 25, the 32 participating nations were already seen practicing in different venues and strolling around Manila to further absorb the Filipino atmosphere.
Greeted with a warm welcome by officials and some fans at the airport, the world No. 2 USA arrived in Manila last Tuesday morning, with NBA champion coach Steve Kerr, Filipino-American Erik Spoelstra, and NBA stars Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson and Austin Reeves, among others, thrilling basketball aficionados with their presence on home soil.

With only a day to go before the FIBA Basketball World Cup kicks off at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, the Americans took no rest and headed straight to their first practice.
In the middle of their preparation, the team, together with their coaching staff, are seen immersing themselves in Filipino culture as they try out some of the country’s specialty dishes such as barbecue, lumpia and the famous Filipino snack ‘Stick-O’.
Players from Egypt, and Gilas Pilipinas star Jordan Clarkson, also tried the sweet delights.
Team USA’s first game will be against New Zealand on Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Mall of Asia Arena.